Life of Samuel

Samuel the Prophet

Christianity Oasis provides the Life of Samuel the Prophet in the Bible exploration. We will look into all aspects of the Bible seeking truth and understanding followed by peace.


Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The First Book of Samuel
Chapter 12


Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread Bible program presenting hundreds of enLIGHTening Christian Bible studies designed to enhance your Christian walk while making you aware of lures and traps along the way. This is the Life of Samuel trek for truth taking a look into Samuel the Prophet in the Bible and how the intriguing and exhilarating Life of Samuel message affects your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk.

Splendid to have you here at Daily Bread to continue our study of 1 Samuel. Our study ended last time with the congregation of Israel at Gilgal rejoicing over their victory over Ammon and sort of a "renew"ing of the kingdom.

The Life of Samuel Biography

Samuel the Prophet in the Bible Speech

Here's something to think about. When we think of the kings of the Bible, we tend to think of their position as a holy thing, which, in a perfect world, it would be. What am I getting at? Israel was God's chosen people. They were different. Other nations had kings to govern them, and that's what Israel was seeking in a king ... Government. Not a holy king to guide them in God's Law. But don't forget what Moses said:

Deuteronomy 4:5-8

5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

The Life of Samuel Explained
Samuel the Prophet in the Bible Address

They were a nation "so great" that God chose them for His own special people. But even though they already had God's Law, which was divinely superior to any other government that could possibly be implemented, it wasn't enough for them. They weren't satisfied.

Let's talk about the "kings" and "government" topics a little more. In today's era one would be hard pressed to say that people's incentive to elect any given candidate is because of their likelihood to carry out God's will, but rather because of the candidates probability of enforcing policies that would increase the voters income level and comfort of living, and decrease the voters effort in achieving it.

Now, for the past four to five hundred years since the Exodus, the children of Israel had been living under the "government" of God the King. They knew full well that whenever they (the children of Israel and their forefathers) turned away from the Lord, things went awry ... Just like He promised. They also knew full well that whenever they sought the Lord and turned to Him, things went incredibly well. To have stuck with God as King would have been the "holy" thing to do.

The Life of Samuel Research
Samuel the Prophet in the Bible Message

Another thing to be mindful of is that its easy for one to wonder in retrospect, why the children of Israel didn't see what they were doing. Well, not only was it told by God that they would be stiff-necked and backsliding, etc., etc., but we tend to lose sight that these stories happened over generations of time. One would think that people would learn from the mistakes of their ancestors, but as silly as it sounds, people want to make their own mistakes, claiming that one can only learn from their own errors.

Yes, I know how prideful that sounds, but most people, if they heard a story about something that happened to their great grand-dad, would think many things before learning any kind of lesson from it. For instance: Times have changed; people have changed; the circumstances are different; etc., etc.

It's almost like people think that their own mistakes are like part of their own unique personality ... As if mistakes make up who they are. Some sick psychologist (I believe) or some other genius, even came up with the idea that mistakes "build character." Man, I never read anything in the Bible like that! Who do you think is more respectable in God's eyes, who do you think He views as having more "character" ...

The Life of Samuel Discussion
Samuel The Prophet in the Bible Debate

A person that strives not to make mistakes or a person who believes mistakes are some kind of prerogative? At any rate, the children of Israel were no different than people today in that sense, and they had thousands of years less hindsight than we do today.

Another argument you may have with yourself is, "Wait a minute ... They had judges didn't they? How much different could it be to have a king? Well, you might answer this way: In times of trouble, God decided when and who to send to judge (lead, protect and guide) His people. That sure seems quite different than a king.

Well ... You remember all the things Samuel prophesied about the future kings back in Chapter 8. Quite different from any judges, wouldn't you agree? That's not to say that there weren't any good kings. A king was as good as his faith in God. If he had strong faith, the Lord blessed him.

The Life of Samuel Warning
Samuel the Prophet in the Bible Devotion

It's no wonder that Samuel (being a judge and all) was offended and upset at Israel's insistence on having a king. Remember, Samuel's entire life was devoted to serving God, and now he's old and overwhelmed with disappointment. At the same time, he loves God's people. You would imagine this was a difficult time for him, and he probably felt like his heart was being torn in two.

Samuel addresses Israel at this celebration they're having, and testifies to them of his integrity, which the people affirm. He reminds them of the Lord's saving Grace since the Exodus despite the fact that they had forsaken God numerous times, and how it was the Lord that appointed all their deliverers up until king Nahash of Ammon threatened them, and they demanded a king.

The prophet Samuel told Israel, Fear the Lord and things will go well with you and your king, but rebel against the Lord and His hand will be against you. As a sign I will call to the Lord and He will send thunder and rain, so that you'll understand that your wickedness is great in asking for a king.

The Life of Samuel the Prophet in the Bible Summary

And the Lord did indeed send thunder and rain that day, and the people revered the Lord and Samuel. Samuel assured the children of Israel that he would continue to pray for them and teach them the good and right way.

1 Samuel 12:24-25

24 Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

Hurry on back and we'll continue our study of 1 Samuel and find out what's next for the children of Israel and their new king Saul, right here at Daily Bread.